Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-12-17
Welded FOR GOLD.
BY MANDA L. CROCKER.

BY MANDA IL. ChOChEhs
The season at Island Park was about
over, yet still they fingered; she, be-
cause she loved the picturesque retreat,
and because Leslie Wayne was such
pleasant company; he, because he wor-
SHIPPED at her shrine, and thought
Ceyle Davis the most perfect and beauti-
full of women. Her gray, expressive
eyes had captured him long ago, and
her smiles still held him most willing
prisoner. ...l:.
Leslie Wayne was poor, but he had
such wealth of devotion to offer her
that he fondly hoped to satisfy. her
with this one great love Of his life. He
was brlefess lawyer now, to be sure,
but he had ambition and promising
future, and would some day shine in
his profession then even Ceyle would be
proud of him. Il
They were wandering among the
the flowers and fountains on the island
listening to the songs of birds and the
plash of the water; the mellow strains
of "Bonnie Doom" foated to them also
from the deck of little boat at the
landing.
II am tired" exclaimed Ceyle, with
gesture indicating WEAKNESS; tired of
this. Let us sit down here" indicat-
ing a rustic seat by the water with one
daintly-gloved hand, @and wait for the
return of the boat. It will not be gone
more than half an hour--only to
Spring Beach and return"
Nothing 10th to do. her bidding,
Leslie suddenly remembered that to
while away thirty minutes beneath the
cool naples was just the thing to do.
IL shall be lonesome enough, I dare
say, by this time next week" remarked
Ceyle surveying the toe of her elegant
slipper, and wondering what Leslie
would find to say in reply.
He sat still, very still, watching the
spray sitting pearly mists down over an
inanimate cupid. Would she mind his
lack of this worlds goods if he spoke
now?- He was not poverty-stricke
and then there were his aspirations !;
he had told her of them and she
seemed interested; ave, pleased. He
would risk a confession; even a fiat re-
fusal, bitter as it would be, were better
than to go away in uncertainty. So he
said: "And I shall be utterly desolate
without"
without what?" queried Ceyle, her
lace flushing slightly, not with an an
swering impulse, but with satisfied
vanity.
without YOU" he answered, bluntly.
Il believe I shall never be happy again
away from you, Miss Davis"
1t was said now; the confession was
made, and he sat looking at her with
all the anxious, earnest love of his soul
shining in his expectant face. Surely
she had been kind; surely she would
SO continue.
Poor Leslie! he had heard of the
coquette, but had never fallen victim,
to the wiles of that interesting per-
sonage before. She was beautiful
the coquette generally is; Miss Davis,
Leslie could have sworn at that mo-
ment, was the embodiment of all that
is counted good, beautiful, and true
yes, true; but she speaks:
"Mr. Wayne, L am quite sorry that
you feel that sort of friendship for
me-"
friendship For heavens sake,
Miss Davis; don't call my souls adora-
ton 'friendshipv If you. are sorry
that teUe you, say SO, but use no mis-
nomers, L beg of you, and add insult
to the wound. Oh, Ceyle!"
He had risen; q strong, handsome
man who had battled willingly with
opposition, and hurled many an OBJ
struction. from his pathway without
shrinking. But this-this was different.
He shook like an aspen, and his face
out-rivsled the belated lotus blossoms
on the fountains rim in whiteness.
Must he stand this? He must.
There was no use suing for favor
from one who could answer thus
lightly, after having encouraged him
SO long
She sat looking placidly into the wa
ter. To be sure there was just q little
twinge of pain at her heart, and faint
blush of quiet on her perfect face that
she had trified with such an honest,
earnest man, but what could she do?
He was not wealthy, had no income,
and only q profession, and but begin
ming in that. IF he had been a monied
man, why then it would have been diff
ferent altogether, for otherwise he was
just the one she should have chosen for
companion.
No, it was not to be thought Of" She
had had very enjoyable time at Is
land Park, and its pleasure rested
mainly with the handsome. intelligent
lawyer before her
@You will not alter your decision ?"
he asked, pitifully.
"No."
"Then would to God we had never
met! l sincerely hope, Miss Davis,
that you may never have the least COM
junction concerning your decision.
Good-by."
@Good-by, Mr. Wayne" she said,
gently, and in moment more he had
disappeared among the trees.
Island Park was again the fashion
BILE resort, the season having opened